Page 50 of The Heiress's First Date

GABE

I rub my chest, trying to ease the ache inside my ribs.

“Everything okay?” Kingston asks from the other side of the back seat.

Can he tell I’m stewing? Probably.

My guy seems to have a sixth sense about things like that.

The SUV bounces over manhole covers and uneven pavement on the way back to our apartment building. I’m pleased with how the day went and have a good feeling about the new designer and her team, but there’s something not quite right.

I’m happy for Alex and Katherine because, deep down, I know that he needs time off. A real vacation where he’s not on his phone. He thinks I don’t see him checking in with his team, but I wasn’t born yesterday. I know his habits.

I have no idea how he managed to clear his schedule so last minute, but then, he’s a force of nature. And for Katherine, I’m pretty sure he’d move mountains.

So yeah. I’m happy for him. But there’s also a part of me that’s sad. That must be the cloak of melancholy I can’t seem to shrug off. I don’t want to examine the feeling too closely, so I nod.

“Yeah. Just thinking.”

“Yachts, sandwiches, or Alex?”

I turn and look at him. He’s so freaking open. Like a puppy who’s never been hit. Is it youth or character? Not that he’s that much younger than me.

Still, he’s lucky.

“What makes you think it’s one of those?”

“Educated guess.”

“That sandwich was amazing,” I say to buy myself time. Well, that’s not exactly true. It’s not just time, but privacy.

While I don’t doubt my driver’s loyalty, there are some things I can’t risk. My friendship with Alex will always be at the top of that list.

Kingston looks away, leaning toward the door. “Yeah. Anthony knows how to make ’em.”

He leaves me to my thoughts, which I’m not sure is a good thing. Sometimes, getting lost in my own head can be a dangerous thing. I tend to overthink when left to my own devices, which is why I keep busy.

???

“Want to watch a movie?” he asks as we step onto the elevator.

I have a report to read, and I wanted to research quantum computing related to finance. And given that I was out of the office today, a little voice whispers, ‘You’re behind.’

Fuck it. What’s the point of working so hard if I can’t take time off and enjoy myself?

Whether I’ll feel guilty the whole time is a different matter entirely.

“Sure. My place?”

“Sounds good.” He pulls out his phone, his thumb moving swiftly over the screen as the elevator soars toward the sky.

I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help it. I find him fascinating. But when he worries his lower lip, that little hint of vulnerability makes me curious.

Is something bothering him?

“What are you thinking? Action? Sci-Fi? Fantasy?” He pegs me with a look that makes my stomach tighten.

I ignore it and shove my hands in my pockets.

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